Brandon Goodwin

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LAS VEGAS – Good things come to those who wait.

Two days after the Nuggets’ Summer League opener was canceled, the team responded with an elite defensive performance against the Orlando Magic in a 84-79 result.

“Our defense has been awesome, our energy from all 10 players who played has been really good,” Summer League head coach Jordi Fernandez said.

Denver hounded Orlando all over the floor and was particularly suffocating in the first quarter, where it held its opponent to 40 percent shooting and dominated the glass 12-4.  The Nuggets would finish the game holding the Magic to just 32 percent from downtown. The team also showed some positive signs on offense.

Undrafted rookie Terence Davis had a strong showing in his first taste of NBA competition as he led the team with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Vlatko Čančar, Denver’s 2017 second-round pick, also showed glimpses of his potential with 12 points and five rebounds on 55.4 percent shooting. Fernandez was impressed with the collective effort shown by his team.

“The whole team [impressed],” Fernandez said. “Everyone was getting excited for each other, even the guys who didn’t play.”

The Nuggets (1-0) return to action Tuesday when they face the Boston Celtics at Cox Pavilion in a nationally-televised game on ESPN 2 (6 p.m. MT).

Here are three takeaways from the victory:

During minicamp, Davis mentioned wanting to show why he can be an effective 3-and-D player for NBA teams. He certainly made his case on Sunday.

READ MORE: Terence Davis looks to showcase versatility

The 22-year-old stands at 6-foot-3 but he was a menacing presence on both sides of the floor against the Magic. He had arguably the best defensive play of the game, going in for an athletic swat with 3:14 remaining in the second quarter.

“He was awesome,” Fernandez said. “I’ve said it from day one, he’s an NBA player. He proved it today and I think he’ll keep doing it because this kid is mentally tough.”

Davis was excited to be in the starting five and he wanted to capitalize with a strong offensive performance.

“With me starting at the two, I knew I would have opportunities and I took advantage of it,” Davis said.

If there’s one area where Davis can improve, it’s limiting his fouls. He amassed four quick fouls in the first quarter and was sitting on five heading into the fourth quarter.

The Nuggets likely put Summer League on notice with fierce and at times, ruthless, defensive performance in their first game of the tournament.

Early on in the fourth quarter, Jae’Sean Tate would spike Amile Jefferson’s shot into the glass before sprinting to the other side of the court to unleash a ferocious dunk. Moments later, Tyler Cook would follow suit, sending Vic Law’s out of bounds. Those two back-to-back plays epitomized Denver’s effort throughout the entire game.

While the Nuggets’ offense is still trying to develop chemistry and rhythm, their work on the other side was encouraging.

Čančar is still working his way back from a minor injury, but he proved why he could be a potentially effective player for the Nuggets next season.

READ MORE: Vlatko's Blog: Differences between NBA and Europe

The 22-year-old has a quick release and showcased some physicality as well, going in for a thunderous slam with his first bucket of the game. He was also active on the glass and made an impact on defense late in the game, diving for a loose ball and taking a charge in consecutive plays. His teammates erupted after he drew contact on the offensive foul.

“That was awesome, I’ve never experienced that [before],” Čančar said. “Was definitely a cool moment.”

Čančar also lived up to his billing as a shooter with range as he hit 2-of-4 from downtown in Denver’s win.

“Vlatko can do everything,” Fernandez said. “He can guard multiple positions, playmaking and he always has a smile on his face. All of it combined, it’s pretty awesome.”

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Denver Nuggets Summer League 2019: Three takeaways from win vs. Magic

LAS VEGAS -- The Nuggets’ Summer League opener on Friday was canceled due to the impact of earthquake aftershock. With the game not being rescheduled, Denver’s Summer League head coach Jordi Fernandez and his players know there’s a lot at stake in the remaining three preliminary games. “That’s the bad part,” Fernandez told CBS4. “I thought the guys deserved to play all four of those (preliminary games) and then the playoff game, but we’re going to make the best of it.”Denver will now begin its Summer League action against the Orlando Magic in what should be a tightly-contested game on Sunday at the Cox Pavilion. 

TUNE IN: Nuggets vs. Magic, 4 p.m. MT, NBA TVHere are the three keys to the game: Who will guard Mo Bamba?The Magic are headlined by 2018 No. 6 pick Mo Bamba, who impressed in the team’s earthquake-shortened opening 75-59 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The forward, who suffered a significant injury that prematurely ended his season, dropped 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting.  While Bamba is still working his way back to fitness, he’s an athletic player who’s showcased some range in Orlando’s opener, hitting 2-of-2 from downtown. The 21-year-old will be a difficult assignment, but fortunately for the Nuggets, there are plenty of options on defense. Jarred Vanderbilt’s quickness and ability to grab rebounds should affect some of Bamba’s effectiveness. Tyler Cook and Thomas Welsh could also see some time against the Magic’s big man. Cleaning up the glassIf there’s one advantage the Nuggets might have throughout Summer League, it could be size. Denver’s starting frontcourt could be Vlatko Čančar (6-foot-8), Jarred Vanderbilt (6-foot-9) and Thomas Welsh (7-foot). “We're actually a pretty tall team, with a lot of big guys,” Čančar told Nuggets.com on Tuesday. “We're the kind of team that's supposed to dominate in rebounding because everyone is a good rebounder.”  Though the Magic dominated the Spurs, leading by as many as 29 points, one area that was relatively close was on the boards. Orlando just edged San Antonio 24-22 on the glass. If the Nuggets can get a healthy edge in rebounds, it could be the deciding factor of the game.  Avoiding a slow start  One unfortunate byproduct of the Nuggets’ canceled game is their opponents already have one game and a win in their pockets. They’ve had an opportunity to work through any early jitters and build confidence. Despite the circumstances, Denver can ill-afford a slow start against Orlando.  There’s been plenty of talk about familiarity and chemistry during minicamp and it is key Fernandez’s team utilizes those aspects early in Sunday’s game. 

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Denver Nuggets vs. Orlando Magic Summer League Preview: Battle of the Bigs

After months of talking about the potential of players like Vlatko Čančar, Jarred Vanderbilt and Brandon Goodwin, Nuggets fans will finally have a chance to see them in extended action in the team’s Summer League opener against the Suns. 

Summer League has been pivotal for the Nuggets in the past as the organization has had several players use it as a key stepping stone in their development. Monte Morris and Malik Beasley, for example, are two players who used strong showings in last year’s tournament to secure impactful roles in the rotation. Prior to the 2018 Summer League, neither player played significant minutes for the team. 

READ MORE: Three takeaways from minicamp  In Denver’s nationally-televised opener against Phoenix, the team is expected to face a squad that will largely feature undrafted rookies and free agents. This is an ideal opportunity for the Nuggets to build some momentum. 

TUNE IN: Nuggets vs. Suns, 9:30 MT, ESPN  Here are some keys to the game:   The Vlatko show:   With Michael Porter Jr. sidelined due to injury, one player who should see increased minutes and shots could be Čančar, the Nuggets’ 2017 second-round pick. Although he recently suffered a minor injury, he took part in practices this week and is expected to suit up Friday night.   “Vlatko will play, he’s feeling better from his ankle [injury],” Summer League coach Jordi Fernandez said.   Čančar is coming off a strong campaign in Liga ACB, largely considered the second-best basketball league in the world. He was named one of its top five young players after averaging 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and shot 46.4 percent while playing with the San Pablo Burgos. The key for the 22-year-old Slovenian will be if he can take another step forward in Summer League play.   Last summer, Čančar was essentially the fourth option behind Morris, Beasley and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell, going for 9.0 points per game on 48.3 percent shooting. This summer, the expectations are a lot higher.   Goodwin vs. Baby Westbrook  Goodwin’s development will be another storyline to follow and he’s got an intriguing matchup in the first game of the tournament. Jalen Lecque, a former New York City high school basketball phenom, is expected to start for the Suns Friday.   Due to an insane 43-inch vertical, the highest in this year’s draft combine, and fierce style of play, Lecque has been called “Baby Westbrook” by observers. The 19-year-old’s decision to forgo college hurt his draft stock as the point guard went undrafted in this year. Still, there is clearly potential in the 6-foot-4 player as the Suns gave him a long-term commitment. 

READ MORE: Goodwin wants to show off playmaking skills  The matchup between the two guards should be one to watch as both have plenty of speed and use their athleticism to be effective around the rim. Goodwin will have the edge due to his experience in college, the G League and NBA, but it’s still an exciting matchup between two undrafted guards with a lot to prove.   Cooking it up  While Porter Jr., Goodwin, Čančar and Thomas Welsh have received their fair amount of attention in the Nuggets’ Summer League minicamp, one player to keep an eye on is former Iowa standout Tyler Cook. He’s been getting rave reviews from coaches and players on the Nuggets.   “He’s one of our [Summer League roster] guys that I see playing in the NBA,” Fernandez said. “His quickness and his body, how strong he is, he’s definitely a kid who is going to have looks [by NBA teams] and have a chance [in the NBA]. We’re happy he’s in our program. He’s here because we believe in him.”   Cook expected to have a chance of being drafted in the second round, but an injury suffered during predraft workouts saw him go undrafted. The Nuggets might have stumbled on another solid prospect in the 6-foot-9 power forward. The 21-year-old averaged 14.5 points and 7.2 rebounds on 51 percent shooting in his final season for the Hawkeyes and hopes to bring some defensive intensity and grit to the Nuggets. 

“I tend to focus on things I can do to help any ballclub and that’s bring energy,” Cook told Nuggets.com. “I’m a physical defender that switch on [positions] one through five. I’m someone who works their butt and does whatever it takes to win games.”  

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Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns Summer League Preview: Can Nuggets get off to a strong start?

The Denver Nuggets’ Summer League minicamp concluded Thursday and there were plenty of storylines to emerge out of the pre-tournament workout sessions.

One of the challenges of Summer League is developing a style of play in a limited amount of time with a largely new group of players. The task is especially daunting considering many of the players on the team are fighting for their NBA futures. If there’s one advantage the Nuggets have on their side, it’s familiarity.

Up until the end of minicamp, the team had four players who spent at least part of last season in the Nuggets’ locker room in Brandon Goodwin, Michael Porter Jr., Thomas Welsh and Jarred Vanderbilt. While Porter Jr. has been ruled out of Summer League (more on that below), the remaining trio should provide invaluable knowledge and leadership throughout the tournament in Las Vegas.

“We’re in a good place, because this is a group that has good chemistry,” Summer League head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “These kids care about each other and they want to play hard together as a team.”

Goodwin echoed his coach’s perspective. 

“We're just competing with each other and making each other better while building chemistry with our teammates.” Goodwin told Nuggets.com Tuesday. “I think we'll be really good going into Summer League—I don't think everyone knows how good we're going to be.” 

He added, “We're all coming together for a common goal—that's to keep moving up the ladder, win a [Summer League] championship together and ultimately make a team.” 

Thomas Welsh believes the workman-like mentality of the group has accelerated the team’s cohesion.

“I think we have a lot of like-minded guys out here. Guys who want to play hard, wanting to play the right way and I think that’s helped us mesh that much quicker,” Welsh said. “I’m excited by what I’ve seen so far.”

Jarred Vanderbilt has been showcasing his skills at minicamp and there’s one thing his teammates want to make clear—He’s much more than just a rebounder.

“I tell him sometimes to bring it up,” Goodwin told Nuggets.com. “He's a good ball handler, he can push it and can actually go coast to coast. He has moves and he's really quick for his size.”

In an interview with Altitude’s Chris Dempsey, Porter Jr. raved about Vanderbilt’s versatility.

“I think he has a chance to be a really, really good player in this league,” Porter Jr. explained. “He's one of those players who can make the game a lot easier for everybody else…I kind of view him as a point forward. Kind of like a Ben Simmons-type, who can get everyone involved but also score himself at the rim.”

Vanderbilt is a prolific rebounder, as he grabbed a nation-leading 25 percent of available boards in his sole campaign at Kentucky in 2017-18. Summer League will provide him an opportunity to showcase his potential on offense. This will be his first turn at the tournament, having missed last year’s Summer League while recovering from injury. He could turn quite a few heads in Las Vegas.

“[I hope to] show a little bit of everything [at Summer League],” Vanderbilt said on Monday. “[The coaches] have a couple of plays for me that have me initiate the offense off rebounds. They feel like anytime I get the ball, I become the point guard.” 

Vanderbilt also appreciates the opportunity to have consistent playing time after playing sparingly this season.

“I haven’t been able to play consistently for a while, so I just want to have fun with it,” Vanderbilt said. “[I] just want to play hard and compete. The rest will take care of itself.”

Michael Porter Jr. ruled out of Summer League: 

There was a lot of anticipation over Porter Jr.’s expected debut this Friday, but unfortunately due to a injury, the No. 14 pick of 2018 draft won’t take part of the tournament.

“The best thing is it’s not serious and he’ll be back on the floor,” Fernandez said on Thursday. “The most important thing is what we’ve seen so far from him – how excited we are. We’re not worried at all about it. He’s been a part of this training camp and he’s played and competed, so we know the type of player he’ll be. He’s gotten better.”

Fernandez added, “It’s unfortunate, but as I said, he’ll be back soon.”

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Denver Nuggets' Summer League minicamp: Three takeaways

Denver Nuggets Summer League head coach Jordi Fernandez didn’t mince words when describing what Brandon Goodwin needs to do in order to take the next step in his development.

“If he wants to be a part of this locker room or in the NBA, earn a contract that's different from a two-way, he has to change his mindset [as a guard],” Fernandez said on Tuesday. “He's a great scorer, rebounder for his size. In the NBA, he's not going to play, taking 20 shots like he did in the G League. He's aware of it. He knows he needs to pick up full court on defense. He needs to push the ball offensively, get the team into their offense and be able to score when he's in the open court.”

Fortunately, for Fernandez and the Nuggets, Goodwin is fully aware of how significant the upcoming Summer League is for his future. He wants to prove he can be trusted as a point guard in the NBA.

“They know what I can do, they want to see me do it at the best of my ability,” Goodwin told Nuggets.com. “Now, it's about what can I keep doing and what can I do to get better. I think they've put me in a great position to run a team and just improve individually.”

Goodwin’s slick ballhandling skills and better-than-advertised athleticism earned him a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets last season. While he played sparingly in the NBA (appearing in 16 games), he got an opportunity to showcase his skills in the G League with the Iowa Wolves. In 26 contests, the 23-year-old averaged an impressive 22.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists and shot 48.6 percent from the floor.

Due to Goodwin’s familiarity with the Nuggets offense, he will likely start for the team when it opens against Phoenix at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center Friday. It’s a big contrast to the summer before when Goodwin, who went undrafted out of Florida Gulf Coast in the 2018 draft, was fighting to find a fit on an NBA roster. He landed a spot on the Memphis Grizzlies’ Summer League team but struggled for playing time as a backup guard. There weren’t any significant expectations for Goodwin in Memphis, but the Nuggets are keen to see his growth as a playmaker on display in Las Vegas this year. The guard believes he’s proven himself in minicamp so far.

“I think it’s just reps,” Goodwin said. “During the season, I wasn't able to go up and down much in the regular NBA game. Now, being able to play 5-on-5 every day with highly-competitive players and be put in situations where I have to do those things, it makes it a lot more comfortable for me heading into Summer League.”

Fernandez has also enjoyed seeing Goodwin’s improvement.

“He’s a guy we believe in and we want him to be a part of our culture and our team,” the coach said. “He's been great [in minicamp], he looks like a grown man trying to lead the team. He gets to do a lot more now in Summer League.”

Still, Goodwin knows he’s got some tough competition for playing time with Summer League teammates Jordan Davis and Keifer Skyes.

“Training camp has been really competitive, especially at the one spot,” Goodwin said before adding. “It's basketball at the end of the day, we're all coming together for a common goal -- that's to keep moving up the ladder, win a championship together and ultimately make a team.”

With a group that features the highly-touted Michael Porter Jr, Jarred Vanderbilt and Vlatko Čančar, the Nuggets are one of the favorites at the tournament. If Goodwin can provide steady play and leadership from the point guard position, it could go a long way.

“I think we're going to be really good,” he said. “I think we have a good chance to win the 'ship as long as we play together and keep on building chemistry throughout minicamp.”

He added, “We've been winning a lot of games in our 5-on-5s [the starting group]. I can credit that to being a great teammate, making sure my teammates are getting great shots. Making sure I'm putting them in positions to be successful.”

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Denver Nuggets’ Brandon Goodwin aims to showcase playmaking skills at Summer League

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DENVER, November 29, 2018 – The Denver Nuggets have been granted an injury hardship relief exception from the NBA and will use that exception to sign guard Brandon Goodwin of the G League, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Goodwin, 6-2, 180, has played in nine games with the Memphis Hustle this season, averaging 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.67 steals in 33.7 minutes per game.

Goodwin transferred to Florida Gulf Coast University after spending two seasons at the University of Central Florida. In two seasons with Florida Gulf Coast, Goodwin averaged 18.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.28 steals in 32.5 minutes per game. In 2018, Goodwin was selected as the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year, an AP All-American Honorable Mention and to the NABC All-District (3) First Team.

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Denver Nuggets Sign Brandon Goodwin

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